The bridge gave way at approximately 8:00 am this morning from the current of the Aguán river. Without the 60 meter passage way, Trujillo is basically without access to the rest of Honduras. Work began on at least 35 miles of unpaved road in the area, as the alternate path is not an easy alternative. It will take one through some beautiful scenery, passing African Palm plantations, and sites of interest, such as a Sula milk processing plant and a Honduran military base. This route would add an extra two hours to the journey, providing one does not become stuck in the mud.

The Burra bridge and three others had collapsed in Colón in October of 2008, during tropical storm number 16, which seriously affected the infrastructure in Honduras. The phenomenon occurred after almost two weeks of continuous rain in Honduras, and devastated some 15 departments of the national territory. At least 34 Hondurans were killed and another 300 thousand were directly affected.

Then, the Honduran government installed bailey bridges. They were eventually to be replaced with permanent funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), according to the Director of Soptravi, Miguel Pastor. After the political crisis, funding disbursements were delayed, and the work was put on hold.

Mr. Pastor announced that the first disbursement of the IDB is to be used for constructing bridges for Cuyamel and Aguamaría in Colón, Pataste in Olancho, and Costa de los Amates in Valle.

Germaco, the company in charge of the works, “will mobilize immediately to Colón for the construction of The Burra bridge. The Burra bridge is a priority,” according to Mr. Pastor.

The IDB approved a loan of more than 200 million lempiras for carrying out infrastructure works Honduras,